Impressive VGM By Year: 1988
1980-1982｜1983｜1984｜1985｜1986｜1987｜1988｜1989
If you'd prefer a YT playlist featuring the top 40 OSTs, click here. Scroll down for the redbook cd audio & streaming audio lists.
Metal Hawk (ARC, YM2151 w/ C140)
Power Drift (ARC, YM2151 w/ SegaPCM) & X68K* (upload fan stuff)
Power Drift from 1988 is the best example of Sega's late 80s output to me, with musical samples and FM synth blending really well, long and varied tracks with nice solos (there's even a noise solo of sorts in B Course which I think is using LFO effects), pretty much all channels being used, stereo, chorus, DT2 for more unique timbres, echo, etc. All squeezed into a collection of fun and memorable 80s rock/pop/funk tracks that work great with the rollercoaster-like experience that is the game itself. Great stuff.
Bosconian (X68K, YM2151)
Not sure if Nagata and Koshiro really loved Bosconian or were given free reigns to do what they wanted here, but I'll take it. Excellent sound design overall (the sampled drumkit was apparently used a lot in the X68K demoscene and ended up in a few other games as well) with smooth and expressive leads (some of which use three channels at once), tight slap bass, strings with chorus and echo effects, shimmering e-piano chords and good stereo mixing. Stylistically it's a fairly eclectic mix of synth rock/prog, jazz and funk which is reminiscent of Gradius at times (Little Wave). On the downside a few tracks are more simplistic and repetitive, and most of the drum samples are a bit thin and distorted compared to some later games. I also didn't spot any use of LFO effects or great attempts at choirs.
Mirai Ninja/Cyber Ninja (ARC, YM2151)(sample heavy), Alternate link - Jazz fusion, rock, traditional japanese, proto-D&B (Crisis)
Winning Run (ARC, YM2151 w/ C140) - Electro funk/synth pop, jazz fusion
Galaxy Force II (ARC, YM2151 w/ SegaPCM)
Last Ninja 2 (C64)
Cybernoid 2/Cybernoid II (C64), Atari ST ver. (1989), Amiga ver. (1989)
Crystal Hammer (AMI)
Space Racer (PC Speaker PWM)
Dragon Spirit (X68K, YM2151)
Thunder Force II (X68K, YM2151)
Twin Eagle (ARC, Seta X1-010, mono)
Notable for being one of the first fully sample-based game OSTs (besides Amiga games), and for having solid live guitar and vocal recordings featured in the otherwise sequenced (?) music. On the downside it's all in mono (while Cal.50 from the next year is not). Some parts in this upload don't transition properly making it sound like a skipping record, which I think is an emulation error.
Zamzara (C64)
Police Quest 2 (PC, MT-32, 1989?)
One of the first and best uses of the MT-32 module, which excelled at that mid-late 80s pop/rock/funk sound. It was a big step up going from Adlib and even the Amiga in some ways, but at a hefty price. Sadly the game itself is mostly silent save for a few jingles, a handful of locations and the intro tune repeating for some cutscenes. Same with King's Quest IV and Leisure Suit Larry 2 from the same year it seems.
Adventures of Bayou Billy/Mad City (NES)
We're reaching peak Konami here with snare and kick samples as well as quick duty cycle modulation and/or octave switching effects used for the attack on the rhythmic instruments to give them more of a funk guitar sound (probably their first game to use this effect being released a few months before Castlevania II, though it might've been used subtly in Contra before this). Stylistically it's about the funkiest they've ever been besides maybe Aquaris from CV3, and the upbeat tone combined with that american box art and the fact that it's supposed to be a beat 'em up rarther than a rhythm game always makes puts a smile on my face. On the other hand this OST is a bit one-sided and mostly lacking in echo and chorus effects besides the second jeep level, something there's more of in Ninja Gaiden and Contra (also from 1988) for example.
Skate or Die! (A2GS) - find stereo/hq, Skate or Die! (Tandy 1000, SN76489 w/ PC Speaker PWM)
You might be more familiar with other versions here but I think this one tops them. When used right it seems the Apple IIGS could sound roughly on par with the Amiga except that channels weren't automatically panned left or right.
The Scheme (PC-88, OPNA, some new tracks)
Fire and Forget (PC Speaker PWM)
Savage (C64)(sample heavy, added stereo), Level 2
While unfitting, the music is pretty insane here featuring both two samples at once in the title tune (first done in Bad Cat from 1987 I believe), and great noise percussion in-game. Turbo Outrun from a year later added some in-game sfx to this mix resulting in one of the best sounding C64 games period.
Dark Side (C64)
Sid Floyd? A very dynamic and fleshed out track that's neither sappy nor the typical upbeat and catchy 40 sec loop stuff, with some unusual effects used. This one takes like literally forever to get going so tilt your head and shoulders back, avert your eyes from the screen for once and just take it all in.
King's Quest IV (PC, MT-32)
Snatcher (PC-88, OPNA)
While the overall sound design isn't much better here than in Shinra Bansho's best tracks (the PSG drums while well done are a bit of a letdown if you've heard the other versions), it's still pretty impressive. There's a lot of music here, good variety and the composers knew what they were doing in terms of creating the right mood for each scene using mostly a blend of 80s action/detective story- and cyberpunk film-inspired music.
Snatcher (MSX SCC)
Kinetix/Dynamix (C64)
Can be considered the first techno OST in video games, and having been made in 1988 it's pretty much in sync with the genre's evolution outside of games.
Ocean Loader 5 (C64)
Captain Blood (AMI), Captain Blood (ST, sample-based track)
Leisure Suit Larry 2 (PC, MT-32)
Phelios (ARC, YM2151)(sample heavy) - 1989?
L.E.D. Storm/LED Storm (AMI)
This OST is completely different from the arcade one, but it's arguably for the better and still fits. There's some great synth prog and -pop in the intro and menu here with phaser and arpeggio effects on some leads, which is then followed by pretty solid sampled guitar work in-game (reminiscent of Rock 'n Roll Racing). Nice work, Follin bros. This game, IK+, Obliterator, Giana Sisters, Zany Golf and Shadow of the Beast (1989) showcase console/arcade-like experiences on the system, with better sound than most other games of the time.
Ninja Gaiden (NES)
Gradius II (ARC, YM2151)
R-Type (C64, different overall)
Cybernoid (C64)
Castlevania II: Simon's Quest (NES)
While the FDS version from the previous year was a solid effort, I think the addition of sampled drums and use of effects like DCM, slides, chorus and shifts between legato and staccato on the instrument envelopes make this one much more lively and dynamic sounding overall. Stylistically we get more of that fun blend between neoclassical hard rock/metal and funk rock here, and while there's not as many "pop hits" as in the first one, there's a bit of an improved variety in moods conveyed which is fitting for a platform adventure/metroidvania game.
Jigsaw! (A2GS)(jingle/short loop)
Parodius (MSX SCC)
Turbo Cup (PC Speaker PWM)
Nemesis 3/Nemesis III (MSX SCC)
Sorcerian (PC-88, OPNA) & Additional Scenario Vol. 1 (PC-88VA, OPNA)
Contra (NES)
Mega Man 2 (NES)
Alien Mind (A2GS)
Blaster Master (NES)
Bad Cat (PC Speaker PWM), Alternate (50 Hz?)(different)
Chequered Flag (ARC, YM2151 w/ K007232)(added reverb), In-game
Ocean Loader 4 (C64)
Star Cruiser (PC-88, OPNA)
Super Mario Bros. 3/SMB3 (NES)
Ys II: Ancient Ys Vanished Final Chapter (PC-88, OPN)
Ordyne (ARC, YM2151)
Ninja Spirit (ARC, YM2151)
Digan no Maseki (PC-88, OPN)
Hawkeye (C64)
Besides some great sound design, the loader tune here is notable for its interactive element. Players can switch between 8 patterns for each channel as well as the timbre of the lead, in real-time. Cool shit.
The Ninja Warriors (ARC, YM2610B)
Stylistically this is pretty much the epitome of 80s cheese and "asiansploitation" in VGM - a cheering crowd sample starts off the centerpiece Level 1 theme (Daddy Mulk), a synth rock track featuring filtered voice samples (I like to imagine them saying "go ninja") being used gratuitously as backing melody, synth guitar licks soaring in the sky while transforming bowlcuts into mullets as the chorus hits, then a shamisen (JP string instrument) solo around the middle followed by another crowd cheer. The rest of the OST shares similar qualities. While it is the best sounding game on this chip up to that point, looking at later games I know that it could've had both stereo mixing, better sample quality and more advanced FM synth work.
Assault/Assault Plus (ARC, YM2151)
Eliminator (C64)
Bionic Commando (C64)(remixes), Techno-like part
Armalyte (C64)
King's Quest II (A2GS) - find hq?
Neuromancer (C64, some samples only tracks?) - vocals
Neuromancer's sample-based title track is worth a special mention, even though it sounds kinda bad in retrospect. This is actually an edited song by Devo, a pioneering band in the new wave and synth pop scenes of the late '70s-early '80s.
Gyruss (FDS)
Haunted Castle (ARC, YM3812/OPL2)(added reverb?)
King's Quest III (A2GS)
Sorcerian (X1, YM2151 w/ YM2149) & Scenarios
Bubble Bobble (AMI)
Dragon Spirit (PCE)
Bard's Tale 2 (A2GS)
Crazy Cop (ARC, YM2151)
Gradius II (NES)
Splatterhouse (ARC, YM2151)
Angelus: Akuma no Fukuin (PC-88, OPNA)
Jackal/Akai Yousai: Final Commando (NES/FDS)
Chatty (PC-88, OPNA)
Victory Life/Yu Yu Jinsei (PCE)
Thunder Cross (ARC, YM2151)
I feel it took a while for Konami to really get the hang of FM synthesis; their earlier OSTs tend to have more of a rough (shrill and metallic, often with thin and twangy leads) sound commonly associated with bad Genesis music. Although there aren't any drum samples here and the whole thing is in mono, it's one of the first examples of their smooth signature lead synth which is sort of a blend between brass and saw wave, as well as crisp bells used in crazy scale run fills and broken chords, pretty strong FM percussion besides an average snare, solid bass and decent distorted rhythm guitar. Add chorus and echo, some cool phaser/noise effects and you have a solid sounding OST, which is also pretty long and varied.
Draconus (Atari 8-bit), C64 ver.
R-Type (PCE)
Storm Warrior (C64)
Exciting Soccer: Konami Cup (FDS)
Soldier of Light/Xain'd Sleena (C64)(different)
Tomahawk (A2GS)? - re-find
Track & Field II (NES)
Blades of Steel (NES)
GD: Greatest Driver (MSX FM (YM2413))
Probably the best use of the limited OPLL chip on its own, on which I believe you could only customize one of the instruments per song (it could be one at a time during any part of a song though) and the default percussion in particular is kinda bad. You'd be forgiven for mistaking some of the leads used here for 4-op synthesis and tracks are fairly long and varied as well. No music in-game though, sadly. Ys: The Vanished Omen (1987) and Solomon's Key for the SMS are also worth a mention here being among the best for that system.
Silpheed (A2GS)
Erika to Satoru no Yumebouken (NES, N163)
IK+ (AMI)
King of Kings (NES, N163)
Carrier Command (AMI) - streaming audio?
Altered Beast (ARC, YM2151)
Beast mode before it was a meme. Tohru Nakabayashi's fifth or so FM synth-based OST is stylistically pretty similar to Alien Syndrome and Bullet from the year before, featuring gloomy and foreboding tracks with a mix of orchestral and rock/pop-style percussion, and I believe some instruments from those two games are re-used here. For some reason he went back to mono mixing, and the main kick drum is weaker sounding, but on the other hand the songs are a bit more varied in style, and some have longer loops. For example the super happy ending theme which jolts you out of the almost nightmarish atmosphere of the rest of the OST in a funny and very '80s way, or the short hip hop-like groove of the game over/name entry theme. Altered Beast's music isn't what people tend to focus on when talking about it in retrospect, but the main theme is still pretty popular and I personally enjoy the compositions a lot overall.
This would also be the first arcade game conversion to the Mega Drive/Genesis, released in the same year, which I mainly find interesting due to how the instrumentation differs from the arcade counterpart despite being made by the same guy. There the leads tend to sound harsher, not just due to a lower channel count, and it doesn't use the PSG chip at all. The drums had to be done differently due to differences between the two sound chips, however the snares came out pretty well and the timpani actually uses the rare SSG-EG effect.
Obliterator (AMI)
Bio Miracle Bokutte Upa (FDS)
Future Tank (AMI)
California Games (A2GS)(in-game)
Sengoku Sorcerian (PC-88VA, OPNA) & Pyramid Sorcerian (PC-88VA, OPNA) - 1989?
Mortville Manor (AMI, vocals)
Notable for featuring one of the first vocal tracks in an Amiga game, a short jazzy tune where the singer hums the melody and sings the title of the game itself. Yep. Sadly the rest of the game seems to be silent besides a few jingles and some rudimentary speech synthesis.
Dynamite Dux (ARC, YM2151)
Herzog (Duke) (PC-88, OPN)
Tetris (C64)(some samples)
This lesser known version of Tetris is notable for featuring a track of epic proportions (near 26 minutes) as well as relatively decent sampled guitar for the system.
Space Quest II (A2GS)
The Scheme (PC-88, OPN) & The Scheme (80s Songs Music Mode)
Outrun/Out Run (C64)
Netherworld (C64)(mostly sample-based)
The Guardian Legend (NES)
Ys: The Vanished Omen (SMS FM (YM2413))(in-game intro & ending)
Target Renegade (C64) & Operation Wolf (C64)
Risa no Yousei Densetsu (FDS)
As the Link Turns (A2GS)(in-game, short loop) - find hq
Death Bringer (PC-98, OPN)
Wai Wai World (NES)
Skate or Die (NES)
Kings of the Beach (C64, samples incl some vocal samples)
Garfield: Big, Fat, Hairy Deal (AMI)
Super Mario Bros. 2/SMB2 (NES, 1988)
LED Storm (Spectrum), ST ver.
Final Blow (ARC, YM2610B)
Golvellius: Valley of Doom (SMS PSG)
Yokai Dochuki/Shadowland (PCE)
Beraboh Man/Bravoman (ARC, YM2151)
Chopper I/Koukuu Kihei Monogatari: The Legend of Air Cavalry (ARC, OPL2 w/ Y8950)(no musical samples, uses a sample for the crowd in Start Demo)
Final Lap (NES, N163)
Golvellius: Valley of Doom (SMS FM), MSX2 FM ver.
Great Giana Sisters (AMI)
Top Landing (ARC, YM2610B)(some sample heavy tracks, volume bug in this upload), Alternate (added reverb)
Angelus: Akuma no Fukuin (PC-88, OPN)
Gun.Smoke (NES, different)
Zybex (Atari 8-bit), C64 ver. (Dual SID),
Formation Armed F (ARC, OPL2 w/ DAC) - Synth rock/pop, experimental
Marauder (C64)(Sisters of Mercy, John Carpenter)
Famicom Tantei Club: Kieta Koukeisha (FDS)
Solomon's Key (SMS FM)(added stereo)
Menace (AMI)
Quadralien (AMI)
Pandora (AMI)
Grand Prix Circuit (C64, samples)
Zoom! (AMI)
Herzog (X1 Turbo, YM2151)
Deflektor (AMI)
Dream Warrior (C64)
Shin Ku Gyoku Den (PC-88, OPNA)
Nankin no Adventure (FDS)
Overlander (C64)
Laydock 2 (MSX FM)
Rastan Saga II (ARC, YM2610B)
Star Cruiser (PC-88, OPN)
Rolling Thunder (FC/NES, N163)
Jordan vs. Bird: One-on-One (Tandy 1000, SN76489 w/ partial PWM?)
Kings of the Beach (Tandy 1000, SN76489 w/ partial PWM?)
Triango (A2GS) - jingle, find hq?
Dark Fusion (Spectrum, Beeper)
Panasonic FM-PAC Firmware (Ashguine 2 songs, MSX FM)
P.O.W.: Prisoners of War (ARC, OPL2)
Platoon (AMI)
Zany Golf (A2GS) - find hq, AMI ver.
Jocky Wilson's Darts Challenge (Atari 8-bit)
Bad Cat (AMI) - short loop, streaming audio?
Speedball (AMI)
Starship Rendezvous (MSX FM w/ FM-Pac/YM2413 & AY-3-8910)
Double Dragon (NES)
Fire Bam (FDS)
Vigilante (ARC, YM2151)
Super Dodgeball/Super Dodge Ball (NES)
Aspar GP Master/Grand Prix Master (C64)
Famicom Grand Prix II: 3D Hot Rally (FDS)
Space Harrier 3D (SMS FM)
Rambo III (SMS FM)
Meitantei Holmes: Kiri no London Satsujin Jiken (NES)
Scramble Spirits (ARC, YM2151)
Super Contra (ARC, YM2151)
Better Dead Than Alien (C64)
Cyborg Hunter (SMS PSG)
Cosmo Police Galivan (NES)
Manhunter: New York (A2GS)
Final Fantasy II (NES)
Power Ball (AMI)
P-47: The Freedom Fighter (ARC, YM2151)
The Pro Baseball Clash Pennant Race (MSX, SCC w/ AY-3-8910)
R-Type (SMS FM)
F-1 Spirit 3D Special (MSX FM)
T&C Surf Designs: Wood & Water Rage (NES)
Chase H.Q. (ARC, YM2610B)
Syvalion (ARC, YM2610B)
Vindicators (ARC, YM2151/OPM)
Mask III (MSX PSG), C64 ver.
Scumball (C64)
Phantasy Star (SMS PSG)
To Be On Top (ST, sample-based tracks)
Black Lamp (C64)
Space Racer (CPC, AY-3-8910)
Big Challenge! Dogfight Spirit (FDS)
Feedback (MSX PSG)
Mega Apocalypse (Spectrum PSG)
Cobra Command (NES)
Maze Hunter 3D (SMS FM)
Matou no Houkai: The Hero of Babel (FDS) - Find YT music rip
Ultima V: Warriors of Destiny (AII, 2x AY-3-8910), U-110 MIDI ver. w/ tweaks
Ys II (MSX PSG)
Power Strike/Aleste (SMS PSG)
Tetris (A2GS)
Cyborg Hunter (SMS FM)
Operation Thunderbolt (ARC, YM2610)
Xevious: Fardraut Saga (MSX FM - Y8950)(no musical samples)
Power Strike/Aleste (SMS FM), MSX ver. (FM)
Feedback (MSX FM)
Times of Lore (C64)
Wonder Boy in Monster Land (SMS FM), PSG ver.
Ultima V (C64), C128 ver. - find hq
Kimagure Orange Road: Natsu no Mirage (PC-88, OPN)
Raw Recruit (Spectrum, Beeper)
Savage (Spectrum, Beeper), Birdie Try (ARC, OPL2), Main Frame (C64), King's Valley II (MSX SCC), Kaettekita Mario Bros. (FDS), World Class Baseball/Power League (PCE), Sadakichi Seven: Hideyoshi no Ougon (PCE), Desolator/Kyros (ST, samples only title track)(different), StarRay/Revenge of Defender (ST, some samples only tracks?), Jarinko Chie: Bakudan Musume no Shiawase Sagashi (NES), Alien Crush (PCE), Outrun/Out Run (AMI), Blasted (ARC, DAC)(in-game), Ninja Kazan (ARC, YM2151), Raimais (ARC, YM2610B), The Sentinel (AMI), Double Dragon II (ARC, YM2151), Captain Tsubasa/Tecmo Cup: Soccer Game (NES), Human Killing Machine/HKM (AMI), Galaga '88 (PCE), Xenon (Atari 8-bit), The Final Round (ARC, YM2151), Kings of the Beach (PC, OPL2) - 1989?, Zavas (PC-98, OPN), Sorcerian (X1 PSG), Psychic World/Psycho World (MSX FM), Ikari Warriors (C64)(partially different), Guerrilla War (NES), Atomic Runner/Chelnov (ARC, OPL), X68K ver. (1993), Mad Gear/Led Storm (ARC, 2x OPN), Times of Lore (PC, OPL2) - 1989?, Last Duel (ARC, 2x OPN), Shufflepuck Café (AMI) - 1989?, Firefly (Spectrum, Beeper), Hiryuu no Ken II: Dragon no Tsubasa (NES), Wizball (AMI), Gain Ground (ARC, YM2151), Xexyz (NES), Altered Beast (MD/GEN), Where Time Stood Still (ST), Adventures of Lolo (NES), Super Black Onyx (NES), Kid no Hore Hore Daisakusen/Cratermaze (ARC, OPL), Eliminator (AMI), Pac-Mania (AMI), Final Assault (A2GS), MACH 3 (AMI) - streaming audio?, Off Shore Warrior (AMI) - streaming audio?, Daley Thompson's Olympic Challenge (Spectrum), Aaargh! (A2GS), Hyperactive (Spectrum, Beeper), Soccer League: Winner's Cup (NES), James Bond: Live and Let Die (C64)(samples), Psycho World/Psychic World (MSX PSG), SMS/GG ver. - 1991, Rollerball (NES), Princess Tomato in Salad Kingdom (NES), Space Racer (AMI) - streaming audio, Casablanca ni Ai o (X68K, YM2151), Zynaps (AMI), Starglider 2 (AMI)(streaming), Forgotten Worlds (ARC, YM2151), Touchdown Fever/American Football: Touchdown Fever/Touch Down Fever (NES), The Last Ninja (A2GS), Battle Gorilla (PC-88, OPNA), Xenophobe (NES), Mancala (A2GS), Be-Bop High School: Koukousei Gokuraku Densetsu (NES), Thundercats (AMI), Platoon (NES), Bad Dudes (ARC, OPN w/ YM3812/OPL2), Tetris (PC-88VA, OPNA)(Bullet-Proof Software), Tetris (PC-88, OPN, 1988?)(NES ver.), Tombs & Treasure (NES), Foundations Waste (AMI), Pro Yakyuu Satsujin Jiken! (NES), Microprose Soccer (C64), Mixed Up Mother Goose (A2GS), Egger Land: Souzou he no Tabidachi (FDS)(no wavetable?), Pirates! (A2GS), Veigues (PC-88, OPN), Double Dragon (SMS FM), Space Harrier II (MD), F/A-18 Interceptor (AMI), Crazy Climber 2 (ARC, OPL2), Daisenryaku (NES), Outrun 3D (SMS PSG), Rampage (SMS FM), Famicom Wars (NES), Saint Seiya: Ougon Densetsu Kanketsu-hen (NES), Iron Tank: The Invasion of Normandy (NES), Bear a Grudge (Spectrum), Xevious: FS (ARC?), MSX PSG ver., Wheels Runner (ARC, YM3526; 1990?), NARC (ARC, YM2151), Radical Bomber!! Jirai-kun (NES), Grand Prix Circuit (AMI), Starship Rendezvous (PC-88, OPNA ver.), Katakis (C64), Bonze Adventure/Jigoku Meguri (ARC, YM2610B), U.S. Championship V'Ball (ARC, YM2151), Legendary Wings (NES), Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars (SMS FM), Nazo no Magazine Disk: Nazoler Land Dai 3 Gou (FDS), Ufo Senshi Youko Chan (ARC, 2x SN76496), Ultima IV (X68K), Emlyn Hughes International Soccer (C64), Dragon Quest III/Dragon Warrior III (NES), Dragon Ball 2: Dai Maou Fukkatsu (NES), Tetris (BPS, MSX FM w/ AY-3-8910, 1987?), Advanced Fantasian (PC-88, OPNA), Tombs & Treasure/Asteka 2 (NES), Racket Attack/Moero!! Pro Tennis (NES, NEC µPD7756C), Freedom Force (NES), Ghouls 'n Ghosts (ARC, YM2151), Barbarian II (C64), Rambo III (SMS), Revolter (PC-88, OPNA), Ikari Warriors II: Victory Road (NES), Sky Soldiers (ARC, YM2413/OPLL), Godzilla: Monster of Monsters! (NES), Jarinko Chie (NES), Goldrunner II (AMI), GD: Greatest Driver (MSX PSG), Bionic Commando/Hitler's Resurrection: Top Secret (NES), Airwolf (NES), Soft de Hard na Monogatari (X68K), Anticipation (NES), Kenseiden (SMS FM), Silpheed (PC, YM2164/IMFC), Lee Trevino's Fighting Golf (NES), Shoukoushi Ceddie (NES), Deja Vu (NES), Zillion II (SMS), Scramble Spirits (SMS FM), Predator (NES), FM Pana Amusement Cartridge (MSX FM), Samurai Sword (FDS, no Wavetable used), Speedball (Atari ST), Fantasy Zone 2: Opa-Opa no Namida (NES), Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair (ARC, YM2151), Ys 1/Ys (NES), Demon Sword (NES), F-19 Stealth Fighter (PC, OPL2) & AMI ver. (1990), 3D Galax (AMI), Hostages (AMI), Shinobi (SMS), Super Thunder Blade (MD), Sidewinder (AMI), R-Type (ST), Starship Rendezvous (PC-98, OPN), Golgo 13 (NES), Satsui no Kaisou: Power Soft Satsujin Jiken (NES), Nebulus (AMI), F-1 Dream (ARC, 2x OPN), Rocket Ranger (AMI), Sukeban Deka III (NES), Captain Silver (SMS FM), Maison Ikkoku: Kanketsuhen (X68K), RoboCop: TFoLE (ARC, OPN w/ YM3812), Megumi Rescue (SMS FM), Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (NES), 1943 Kai (ARC, 2x OPN), Xenon (AMI), Battle of Olympus (NES), Donald Land (NES), Kenseiden (SMS PSG), Galactic Protector (SMS FM), R-Type (SMS PSG), Tantei Jinguuji Saburou: Yokohamakou Renzoku Satsujin Jiken (NES), Ninja-kun: Ashura no Shou (NES), Usagi Yojimbo (C64), Ninja Spirit (AMI), Karaoke Studio Senyou Cassette: Top Hit 20 Vol. 2 (NES), Tantei Jinguuji Saburou: Kiken na Ninin/Kiken na Futari (FDS)(no wavetable?), Maniac Mansion (Tandy 1000 PC), Snoopy's Silly Sports Spectacular!/Donald Duck (NES), Family Mahjong 2: Shanghai he no Michi (NES), Dr. Chaos (NES), Katakis (AMI), Platoon (Spectrum), Netherworld (Spectrum), Return of Ishtar (MSX), Dragon Quest II (MSX), Murder Club DX (X68K), Testament (MSX2, AY-3-8910), Kiss of Murder: Another story of Manhattan Requiem (X68K), Stormtrooper (AMI), Vixen (AMI), Stadium Hero (ARC, OPL2 w/ OPN), Gaia no Monshou (PCE), Speedball (ST), Continental Circus (ARC, YM2610B), Weird Dreams (AMI), RC Pro-Am (NES), Bionic Commando (Spectrum & ST), Zak McKracken (C64), Robocop (Spectrum), Sorcerian: Utillity Vol.1-3 (X1 PSG), Kamen Rider Club: Gekitotsu Shocker Land (NES), California Games (AMI), Märchen Maze (ARC, YM2151), Tetris (ARC, YM2610), Bakutotsu Kijuutei: Baraduke II (ARC, YM2151), Top Speed/Full Throttle (X68K), Image Fight (ARC, YM2151), Captain Silver (NES), Return of Ishtar (X68K), Laydock 2 (PSG), TwinBee (X68K), Batman: The Caped Crusader (C64), Romance of the Three Kingdoms (X68K), Sadakichi Sebun: Hideyoshi no Ougon (PCE), Tarot Uranai (FDS), Space Harrier (PCE), Legendary Axe (PCE), Desert Commander (NES), Nobunaga no Yabou: Zenkokuban (X68K), Who Framed Roger Rabbit (AMI), Maniac Mansion (NES)(JP), Saiyuuki World (NES), Rampage (NES), Truxton (ARC, OPL2), Starglider 2 (ST, samples only?), Microprose Soccer (AMI), Amagon (NES), Momotarou Densetsu (X68K), China Gate/Sai Yu Gou Ma Roku: Ryuu Bou You Gi No Shou (ARC, YM2151), Kick and Run (FDS), Alien Syndrome (NES), Tsuri Kichi Sanpei: Blue Marlin-hen (NES), Deflektor (ST), Batman: The Caped Crusader (AMI), Wizball (ST), Bases Loaded 2 (NES), Herzog (X1 Turbo PSG), Bomber King/Robo Warrior (MSX), 8 Eyes (NES), Treasure Island Dizzy (Spectrum, AY-3-8910), Druid: Kyoufu no Tobira (FDS)(no wavetable?), Street Fighter (AMI), Ice Hockey (NES), Touhou Kenbun Roku (NES), Super Hang-On (AMI), Osomatsu-kun Hachamecha Gekijou (MD), Wardner no Mori (NES), Vs. Excitebike (FDS), Akira (NES), Pool of Radiance (C64), Zynaps (ST), Rainbow Islands (NES)(Taito), Starquake (ST), Top Rider (NES), Double Eagle (X68K), Road Blasters (AMI), Hoops/Moero!! Junior Basket: Two on Two (NES), Railroad Empire/Take the A-Train II (X68K), Cobra-Command (ARC, w/ OPN), Takeshi no Sengoku Fuuunji (NES), Hototogisu (NES), Alternate Reality: The City (AMI), Bubble Bobble (NES), Final Bubble Bobble/Bubble Bobble (SMS), Kaijuu Monogatari (NES), Dokuganryuu Masamune (NES), Goal!/Moero!! Pro Soccer (NES), Goldrunner II (ST, some samples only tracks), Action Fighter (AMI), Tetris (X68K)(BPS), Arkanoid: Revenge of DOH (C64), Shanghai (SMS FM), Tetsuwan Atom (NES), Hanjuku Hero (NES), Paris-Dakar Rally Special (NES), Zak McKracken & the Alien Mindbenders (AMI), Operation Wolf (AMI), Pro Yakyuu World Stadium (PCE), Sylviana: Ai Ippai no Boukensha (FDS)(no wavetable?), Jumbo Ozaki no Hole in One Professional (NES), Sengoku Mahjong (PCE), Cycle Race Roadman: Gekisou!! Nihon Isshuu 4000km (NES), Kohakuiro no Yuigon (X68K), Vindicators (NES), Salamander (C64), The Black Bass/Black Bass 2 (NES), Blasteroids (ARC, YM2151), The Money Game (NES), Super Dodge Ball (X68K), Fuuun Shaolin Kyo: Ankoku no Maou (FDS)(no wavetable?), Takeda Shingen (NES), Super Real Baseball '88 (NES), Kamen no Ninja: Akakage (NES), Napoleon Senki (NES), DOME/Dome (X68K), Sukeban Jansi Ryuko (ARC, YM2151), Yuu Maze (FDS)(no wavetable?), Arkanoid: Revenge of DOH (X68K), Momotarou Dentetsu (NES), Labyrinth Runner (ARC, 2x OPN), Kid Kool and the Quest for the Seven Wonder Herbs (NES), Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (NES), World Court Tennis/Pro Tennis: World Court (PCE), Fantasy Zone (PCE), Rainbow Islands Extra (ARC, YM2151), Super Dyna'mix Badminton (NES), Ikari Warriors (AMI), Youkai Douchuuki/Shadowland (N163, SFX Only), Genpei Touma Den/Genpei Toumaden (NES), Ripple Island (NES), Maison Ikkoku (NES), Atomic Robo-Kid (ARC, 2x OPN), Kuri Kinton (ARC, OPN), Michael Andretti's World GP (NES), Kai no Bouken: The Quest of Ki (NES), Mr. Gold: Tooyama no Kinsan Space Chou (NES), Super Pinball (NES), Kickle Cubicle/Meikyu Jima/Meikyuujima (ARC, YM2151), After Burner (AMI)(1988), Jaseiken Necromancer (PCE), Casino Kid (NES), Bad Dudes (AMI), Namco Classic (NES), Falcon (AMI), Knight Rider (NES), Kaguya Hime Densetsu (NES), Appare! Gateball (PCE), California Games (NES), Keith Courage in Alpha Zones/Wataru (PCE), Elite (AMI), Bubble Bobble (PC, OPL2), Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu (NES), Family Trainer 09: Fuun Takeshijou 2 (NES), Take Down/Take Down Wrestling (PC, OPL2) - 1989?, Passing Shot/Center Court (ARC, YM2151), Super League (ARC, YM2151), Wheel of Fortune (NES), Pro Yakyuu Family Stadium '88 (NES), Cabal (ARC, YM2151), Matsumoto Tooru no Kabushiki Hisshou Gaku (NES), Bard's Tale III (C64), Tetris (Sega)(ARC, YM2151), Romance of the Three Kingdoms/Sangokushi (NES), Super Dodge Ball (ARC, YM2151), Tetris (ARC, 2x Pokey)(Atari), Hot Rod (ARC, YM2151), Chuka Taisen/Cloud Master (ARC, OPN)
The Bard's Tale II (AMI)
Weird Dreams (PC, OPL2)
Leisure Suit Larry 2 (PC, OPL2)
Kujaku Ou (NES)
Dr. Toppel's Adventure (ARC, OPN)
The NewZealand Story (ARC, OPN), X68K ver. (1989)
King's Quest IV (PC, OPL2)
Renegade (PC, OPL2)
Ka-Ge-Ki/Gageki (ARC, OPN)
Police Quest 2 (PC, OPL2)
Redbook (CD Audio):
No-Ri-Ko/No Ri Ko (PCE CD Redbook)(some vocal tracks, some chip music)
Fighting Street (PCE CD Redbook)
Bikkuriman Daijikai (PCE CD Redbook)(some vocal tracks, mostly chip music)
1980-1983｜1984｜1985｜1986｜1987｜1988｜1989
Back to Impressive VGM By Year
1980-1982｜1983｜1984｜1985｜1986｜1987｜1988｜1989
If you'd prefer a YT playlist featuring the top 40 OSTs, click here. Scroll down for the redbook cd audio & streaming audio lists.
Metal Hawk (ARC, YM2151 w/ C140)
Power Drift (ARC, YM2151 w/ SegaPCM) & X68K* (upload fan stuff)
Power Drift from 1988 is the best example of Sega's late 80s output to me, with musical samples and FM synth blending really well, long and varied tracks with nice solos (there's even a noise solo of sorts in B Course which I think is using LFO effects), pretty much all channels being used, stereo, chorus, DT2 for more unique timbres, echo, etc. All squeezed into a collection of fun and memorable 80s rock/pop/funk tracks that work great with the rollercoaster-like experience that is the game itself. Great stuff.
Bosconian (X68K, YM2151)
Not sure if Nagata and Koshiro really loved Bosconian or were given free reigns to do what they wanted here, but I'll take it. Excellent sound design overall (the sampled drumkit was apparently used a lot in the X68K demoscene and ended up in a few other games as well) with smooth and expressive leads (some of which use three channels at once), tight slap bass, strings with chorus and echo effects, shimmering e-piano chords and good stereo mixing. Stylistically it's a fairly eclectic mix of synth rock/prog, jazz and funk which is reminiscent of Gradius at times (Little Wave). On the downside a few tracks are more simplistic and repetitive, and most of the drum samples are a bit thin and distorted compared to some later games. I also didn't spot any use of LFO effects or great attempts at choirs.
Mirai Ninja/Cyber Ninja (ARC, YM2151)(sample heavy), Alternate link - Jazz fusion, rock, traditional japanese, proto-D&B (Crisis)
Winning Run (ARC, YM2151 w/ C140) - Electro funk/synth pop, jazz fusion
Galaxy Force II (ARC, YM2151 w/ SegaPCM)
Last Ninja 2 (C64)
Cybernoid 2/Cybernoid II (C64), Atari ST ver. (1989), Amiga ver. (1989)
Crystal Hammer (AMI)
Space Racer (PC Speaker PWM)
Dragon Spirit (X68K, YM2151)
Thunder Force II (X68K, YM2151)
Twin Eagle (ARC, Seta X1-010, mono)
Notable for being one of the first fully sample-based game OSTs (besides Amiga games), and for having solid live guitar and vocal recordings featured in the otherwise sequenced (?) music. On the downside it's all in mono (while Cal.50 from the next year is not). Some parts in this upload don't transition properly making it sound like a skipping record, which I think is an emulation error.
Zamzara (C64)
Police Quest 2 (PC, MT-32, 1989?)
One of the first and best uses of the MT-32 module, which excelled at that mid-late 80s pop/rock/funk sound. It was a big step up going from Adlib and even the Amiga in some ways, but at a hefty price. Sadly the game itself is mostly silent save for a few jingles, a handful of locations and the intro tune repeating for some cutscenes. Same with King's Quest IV and Leisure Suit Larry 2 from the same year it seems.
Adventures of Bayou Billy/Mad City (NES)
We're reaching peak Konami here with snare and kick samples as well as quick duty cycle modulation and/or octave switching effects used for the attack on the rhythmic instruments to give them more of a funk guitar sound (probably their first game to use this effect being released a few months before Castlevania II, though it might've been used subtly in Contra before this). Stylistically it's about the funkiest they've ever been besides maybe Aquaris from CV3, and the upbeat tone combined with that american box art and the fact that it's supposed to be a beat 'em up rarther than a rhythm game always makes puts a smile on my face. On the other hand this OST is a bit one-sided and mostly lacking in echo and chorus effects besides the second jeep level, something there's more of in Ninja Gaiden and Contra (also from 1988) for example.
Skate or Die! (A2GS) - find stereo/hq, Skate or Die! (Tandy 1000, SN76489 w/ PC Speaker PWM)
You might be more familiar with other versions here but I think this one tops them. When used right it seems the Apple IIGS could sound roughly on par with the Amiga except that channels weren't automatically panned left or right.
The Scheme (PC-88, OPNA, some new tracks)
Fire and Forget (PC Speaker PWM)
Savage (C64)(sample heavy, added stereo), Level 2
While unfitting, the music is pretty insane here featuring both two samples at once in the title tune (first done in Bad Cat from 1987 I believe), and great noise percussion in-game. Turbo Outrun from a year later added some in-game sfx to this mix resulting in one of the best sounding C64 games period.
Dark Side (C64)
Sid Floyd? A very dynamic and fleshed out track that's neither sappy nor the typical upbeat and catchy 40 sec loop stuff, with some unusual effects used. This one takes like literally forever to get going so tilt your head and shoulders back, avert your eyes from the screen for once and just take it all in.
King's Quest IV (PC, MT-32)
Snatcher (PC-88, OPNA)
While the overall sound design isn't much better here than in Shinra Bansho's best tracks (the PSG drums while well done are a bit of a letdown if you've heard the other versions), it's still pretty impressive. There's a lot of music here, good variety and the composers knew what they were doing in terms of creating the right mood for each scene using mostly a blend of 80s action/detective story- and cyberpunk film-inspired music.
Snatcher (MSX SCC)
Kinetix/Dynamix (C64)
Can be considered the first techno OST in video games, and having been made in 1988 it's pretty much in sync with the genre's evolution outside of games.
Ocean Loader 5 (C64)
Captain Blood (AMI), Captain Blood (ST, sample-based track)
Leisure Suit Larry 2 (PC, MT-32)
Phelios (ARC, YM2151)(sample heavy) - 1989?
L.E.D. Storm/LED Storm (AMI)
This OST is completely different from the arcade one, but it's arguably for the better and still fits. There's some great synth prog and -pop in the intro and menu here with phaser and arpeggio effects on some leads, which is then followed by pretty solid sampled guitar work in-game (reminiscent of Rock 'n Roll Racing). Nice work, Follin bros. This game, IK+, Obliterator, Giana Sisters, Zany Golf and Shadow of the Beast (1989) showcase console/arcade-like experiences on the system, with better sound than most other games of the time.
Ninja Gaiden (NES)
Gradius II (ARC, YM2151)
R-Type (C64, different overall)
Cybernoid (C64)
Castlevania II: Simon's Quest (NES)
While the FDS version from the previous year was a solid effort, I think the addition of sampled drums and use of effects like DCM, slides, chorus and shifts between legato and staccato on the instrument envelopes make this one much more lively and dynamic sounding overall. Stylistically we get more of that fun blend between neoclassical hard rock/metal and funk rock here, and while there's not as many "pop hits" as in the first one, there's a bit of an improved variety in moods conveyed which is fitting for a platform adventure/metroidvania game.
Jigsaw! (A2GS)(jingle/short loop)
Parodius (MSX SCC)
Turbo Cup (PC Speaker PWM)
Nemesis 3/Nemesis III (MSX SCC)
Sorcerian (PC-88, OPNA) & Additional Scenario Vol. 1 (PC-88VA, OPNA)
Contra (NES)
Mega Man 2 (NES)
Alien Mind (A2GS)
Blaster Master (NES)
Bad Cat (PC Speaker PWM), Alternate (50 Hz?)(different)
Chequered Flag (ARC, YM2151 w/ K007232)(added reverb), In-game
Ocean Loader 4 (C64)
Star Cruiser (PC-88, OPNA)
Super Mario Bros. 3/SMB3 (NES)
Ys II: Ancient Ys Vanished Final Chapter (PC-88, OPN)
Ordyne (ARC, YM2151)
Ninja Spirit (ARC, YM2151)
Digan no Maseki (PC-88, OPN)
Hawkeye (C64)
Besides some great sound design, the loader tune here is notable for its interactive element. Players can switch between 8 patterns for each channel as well as the timbre of the lead, in real-time. Cool shit.
The Ninja Warriors (ARC, YM2610B)
Stylistically this is pretty much the epitome of 80s cheese and "asiansploitation" in VGM - a cheering crowd sample starts off the centerpiece Level 1 theme (Daddy Mulk), a synth rock track featuring filtered voice samples (I like to imagine them saying "go ninja") being used gratuitously as backing melody, synth guitar licks soaring in the sky while transforming bowlcuts into mullets as the chorus hits, then a shamisen (JP string instrument) solo around the middle followed by another crowd cheer. The rest of the OST shares similar qualities. While it is the best sounding game on this chip up to that point, looking at later games I know that it could've had both stereo mixing, better sample quality and more advanced FM synth work.
Assault/Assault Plus (ARC, YM2151)
Eliminator (C64)
Bionic Commando (C64)(remixes), Techno-like part
Armalyte (C64)
King's Quest II (A2GS) - find hq?
Neuromancer (C64, some samples only tracks?) - vocals
Neuromancer's sample-based title track is worth a special mention, even though it sounds kinda bad in retrospect. This is actually an edited song by Devo, a pioneering band in the new wave and synth pop scenes of the late '70s-early '80s.
Gyruss (FDS)
Haunted Castle (ARC, YM3812/OPL2)(added reverb?)
King's Quest III (A2GS)
Sorcerian (X1, YM2151 w/ YM2149) & Scenarios
Bubble Bobble (AMI)
Dragon Spirit (PCE)
Bard's Tale 2 (A2GS)
Crazy Cop (ARC, YM2151)
Gradius II (NES)
Splatterhouse (ARC, YM2151)
Angelus: Akuma no Fukuin (PC-88, OPNA)
Jackal/Akai Yousai: Final Commando (NES/FDS)
Chatty (PC-88, OPNA)
Victory Life/Yu Yu Jinsei (PCE)
Thunder Cross (ARC, YM2151)
I feel it took a while for Konami to really get the hang of FM synthesis; their earlier OSTs tend to have more of a rough (shrill and metallic, often with thin and twangy leads) sound commonly associated with bad Genesis music. Although there aren't any drum samples here and the whole thing is in mono, it's one of the first examples of their smooth signature lead synth which is sort of a blend between brass and saw wave, as well as crisp bells used in crazy scale run fills and broken chords, pretty strong FM percussion besides an average snare, solid bass and decent distorted rhythm guitar. Add chorus and echo, some cool phaser/noise effects and you have a solid sounding OST, which is also pretty long and varied.
Draconus (Atari 8-bit), C64 ver.
R-Type (PCE)
Storm Warrior (C64)
Exciting Soccer: Konami Cup (FDS)
Soldier of Light/Xain'd Sleena (C64)(different)
Tomahawk (A2GS)? - re-find
Track & Field II (NES)
Blades of Steel (NES)
GD: Greatest Driver (MSX FM (YM2413))
Probably the best use of the limited OPLL chip on its own, on which I believe you could only customize one of the instruments per song (it could be one at a time during any part of a song though) and the default percussion in particular is kinda bad. You'd be forgiven for mistaking some of the leads used here for 4-op synthesis and tracks are fairly long and varied as well. No music in-game though, sadly. Ys: The Vanished Omen (1987) and Solomon's Key for the SMS are also worth a mention here being among the best for that system.
Silpheed (A2GS)
Erika to Satoru no Yumebouken (NES, N163)
IK+ (AMI)
King of Kings (NES, N163)
Carrier Command (AMI) - streaming audio?
Altered Beast (ARC, YM2151)
Beast mode before it was a meme. Tohru Nakabayashi's fifth or so FM synth-based OST is stylistically pretty similar to Alien Syndrome and Bullet from the year before, featuring gloomy and foreboding tracks with a mix of orchestral and rock/pop-style percussion, and I believe some instruments from those two games are re-used here. For some reason he went back to mono mixing, and the main kick drum is weaker sounding, but on the other hand the songs are a bit more varied in style, and some have longer loops. For example the super happy ending theme which jolts you out of the almost nightmarish atmosphere of the rest of the OST in a funny and very '80s way, or the short hip hop-like groove of the game over/name entry theme. Altered Beast's music isn't what people tend to focus on when talking about it in retrospect, but the main theme is still pretty popular and I personally enjoy the compositions a lot overall.
This would also be the first arcade game conversion to the Mega Drive/Genesis, released in the same year, which I mainly find interesting due to how the instrumentation differs from the arcade counterpart despite being made by the same guy. There the leads tend to sound harsher, not just due to a lower channel count, and it doesn't use the PSG chip at all. The drums had to be done differently due to differences between the two sound chips, however the snares came out pretty well and the timpani actually uses the rare SSG-EG effect.
Obliterator (AMI)
Bio Miracle Bokutte Upa (FDS)
Future Tank (AMI)
California Games (A2GS)(in-game)
Sengoku Sorcerian (PC-88VA, OPNA) & Pyramid Sorcerian (PC-88VA, OPNA) - 1989?
Mortville Manor (AMI, vocals)
Notable for featuring one of the first vocal tracks in an Amiga game, a short jazzy tune where the singer hums the melody and sings the title of the game itself. Yep. Sadly the rest of the game seems to be silent besides a few jingles and some rudimentary speech synthesis.
Dynamite Dux (ARC, YM2151)
Herzog (Duke) (PC-88, OPN)
Tetris (C64)(some samples)
This lesser known version of Tetris is notable for featuring a track of epic proportions (near 26 minutes) as well as relatively decent sampled guitar for the system.
Space Quest II (A2GS)
The Scheme (PC-88, OPN) & The Scheme (80s Songs Music Mode)
Outrun/Out Run (C64)
Netherworld (C64)(mostly sample-based)
The Guardian Legend (NES)
Ys: The Vanished Omen (SMS FM (YM2413))(in-game intro & ending)
Target Renegade (C64) & Operation Wolf (C64)
Risa no Yousei Densetsu (FDS)
As the Link Turns (A2GS)(in-game, short loop) - find hq
Death Bringer (PC-98, OPN)
Wai Wai World (NES)
Skate or Die (NES)
Kings of the Beach (C64, samples incl some vocal samples)
Garfield: Big, Fat, Hairy Deal (AMI)
Super Mario Bros. 2/SMB2 (NES, 1988)
LED Storm (Spectrum), ST ver.
Final Blow (ARC, YM2610B)
Golvellius: Valley of Doom (SMS PSG)
Yokai Dochuki/Shadowland (PCE)
Beraboh Man/Bravoman (ARC, YM2151)
Chopper I/Koukuu Kihei Monogatari: The Legend of Air Cavalry (ARC, OPL2 w/ Y8950)(no musical samples, uses a sample for the crowd in Start Demo)
Final Lap (NES, N163)
Golvellius: Valley of Doom (SMS FM), MSX2 FM ver.
Great Giana Sisters (AMI)
Top Landing (ARC, YM2610B)(some sample heavy tracks, volume bug in this upload), Alternate (added reverb)
Angelus: Akuma no Fukuin (PC-88, OPN)
Gun.Smoke (NES, different)
Zybex (Atari 8-bit), C64 ver. (Dual SID),
Formation Armed F (ARC, OPL2 w/ DAC) - Synth rock/pop, experimental
Marauder (C64)(Sisters of Mercy, John Carpenter)
Famicom Tantei Club: Kieta Koukeisha (FDS)
Solomon's Key (SMS FM)(added stereo)
Menace (AMI)
Quadralien (AMI)
Pandora (AMI)
Grand Prix Circuit (C64, samples)
Zoom! (AMI)
Herzog (X1 Turbo, YM2151)
Deflektor (AMI)
Dream Warrior (C64)
Shin Ku Gyoku Den (PC-88, OPNA)
Nankin no Adventure (FDS)
Overlander (C64)
Laydock 2 (MSX FM)
Rastan Saga II (ARC, YM2610B)
Star Cruiser (PC-88, OPN)
Rolling Thunder (FC/NES, N163)
Jordan vs. Bird: One-on-One (Tandy 1000, SN76489 w/ partial PWM?)
Kings of the Beach (Tandy 1000, SN76489 w/ partial PWM?)
Triango (A2GS) - jingle, find hq?
Dark Fusion (Spectrum, Beeper)
Panasonic FM-PAC Firmware (Ashguine 2 songs, MSX FM)
P.O.W.: Prisoners of War (ARC, OPL2)
Platoon (AMI)
Zany Golf (A2GS) - find hq, AMI ver.
Jocky Wilson's Darts Challenge (Atari 8-bit)
Bad Cat (AMI) - short loop, streaming audio?
Speedball (AMI)
Starship Rendezvous (MSX FM w/ FM-Pac/YM2413 & AY-3-8910)
Double Dragon (NES)
Fire Bam (FDS)
Vigilante (ARC, YM2151)
Super Dodgeball/Super Dodge Ball (NES)
Aspar GP Master/Grand Prix Master (C64)
Famicom Grand Prix II: 3D Hot Rally (FDS)
Space Harrier 3D (SMS FM)
Rambo III (SMS FM)
Meitantei Holmes: Kiri no London Satsujin Jiken (NES)
Scramble Spirits (ARC, YM2151)
Super Contra (ARC, YM2151)
Better Dead Than Alien (C64)
Cyborg Hunter (SMS PSG)
Cosmo Police Galivan (NES)
Manhunter: New York (A2GS)
Final Fantasy II (NES)
Power Ball (AMI)
P-47: The Freedom Fighter (ARC, YM2151)
The Pro Baseball Clash Pennant Race (MSX, SCC w/ AY-3-8910)
R-Type (SMS FM)
F-1 Spirit 3D Special (MSX FM)
T&C Surf Designs: Wood & Water Rage (NES)
Chase H.Q. (ARC, YM2610B)
Syvalion (ARC, YM2610B)
Vindicators (ARC, YM2151/OPM)
Mask III (MSX PSG), C64 ver.
Scumball (C64)
Phantasy Star (SMS PSG)
To Be On Top (ST, sample-based tracks)
Black Lamp (C64)
Space Racer (CPC, AY-3-8910)
Big Challenge! Dogfight Spirit (FDS)
Feedback (MSX PSG)
Mega Apocalypse (Spectrum PSG)
Cobra Command (NES)
Maze Hunter 3D (SMS FM)
Matou no Houkai: The Hero of Babel (FDS) - Find YT music rip
Ultima V: Warriors of Destiny (AII, 2x AY-3-8910), U-110 MIDI ver. w/ tweaks
Ys II (MSX PSG)
Power Strike/Aleste (SMS PSG)
Tetris (A2GS)
Cyborg Hunter (SMS FM)
Operation Thunderbolt (ARC, YM2610)
Xevious: Fardraut Saga (MSX FM - Y8950)(no musical samples)
Power Strike/Aleste (SMS FM), MSX ver. (FM)
Feedback (MSX FM)
Times of Lore (C64)
Wonder Boy in Monster Land (SMS FM), PSG ver.
Ultima V (C64), C128 ver. - find hq
Kimagure Orange Road: Natsu no Mirage (PC-88, OPN)
Raw Recruit (Spectrum, Beeper)
Savage (Spectrum, Beeper), Birdie Try (ARC, OPL2), Main Frame (C64), King's Valley II (MSX SCC), Kaettekita Mario Bros. (FDS), World Class Baseball/Power League (PCE), Sadakichi Seven: Hideyoshi no Ougon (PCE), Desolator/Kyros (ST, samples only title track)(different), StarRay/Revenge of Defender (ST, some samples only tracks?), Jarinko Chie: Bakudan Musume no Shiawase Sagashi (NES), Alien Crush (PCE), Outrun/Out Run (AMI), Blasted (ARC, DAC)(in-game), Ninja Kazan (ARC, YM2151), Raimais (ARC, YM2610B), The Sentinel (AMI), Double Dragon II (ARC, YM2151), Captain Tsubasa/Tecmo Cup: Soccer Game (NES), Human Killing Machine/HKM (AMI), Galaga '88 (PCE), Xenon (Atari 8-bit), The Final Round (ARC, YM2151), Kings of the Beach (PC, OPL2) - 1989?, Zavas (PC-98, OPN), Sorcerian (X1 PSG), Psychic World/Psycho World (MSX FM), Ikari Warriors (C64)(partially different), Guerrilla War (NES), Atomic Runner/Chelnov (ARC, OPL), X68K ver. (1993), Mad Gear/Led Storm (ARC, 2x OPN), Times of Lore (PC, OPL2) - 1989?, Last Duel (ARC, 2x OPN), Shufflepuck Café (AMI) - 1989?, Firefly (Spectrum, Beeper), Hiryuu no Ken II: Dragon no Tsubasa (NES), Wizball (AMI), Gain Ground (ARC, YM2151), Xexyz (NES), Altered Beast (MD/GEN), Where Time Stood Still (ST), Adventures of Lolo (NES), Super Black Onyx (NES), Kid no Hore Hore Daisakusen/Cratermaze (ARC, OPL), Eliminator (AMI), Pac-Mania (AMI), Final Assault (A2GS), MACH 3 (AMI) - streaming audio?, Off Shore Warrior (AMI) - streaming audio?, Daley Thompson's Olympic Challenge (Spectrum), Aaargh! (A2GS), Hyperactive (Spectrum, Beeper), Soccer League: Winner's Cup (NES), James Bond: Live and Let Die (C64)(samples), Psycho World/Psychic World (MSX PSG), SMS/GG ver. - 1991, Rollerball (NES), Princess Tomato in Salad Kingdom (NES), Space Racer (AMI) - streaming audio, Casablanca ni Ai o (X68K, YM2151), Zynaps (AMI), Starglider 2 (AMI)(streaming), Forgotten Worlds (ARC, YM2151), Touchdown Fever/American Football: Touchdown Fever/Touch Down Fever (NES), The Last Ninja (A2GS), Battle Gorilla (PC-88, OPNA), Xenophobe (NES), Mancala (A2GS), Be-Bop High School: Koukousei Gokuraku Densetsu (NES), Thundercats (AMI), Platoon (NES), Bad Dudes (ARC, OPN w/ YM3812/OPL2), Tetris (PC-88VA, OPNA)(Bullet-Proof Software), Tetris (PC-88, OPN, 1988?)(NES ver.), Tombs & Treasure (NES), Foundations Waste (AMI), Pro Yakyuu Satsujin Jiken! (NES), Microprose Soccer (C64), Mixed Up Mother Goose (A2GS), Egger Land: Souzou he no Tabidachi (FDS)(no wavetable?), Pirates! (A2GS), Veigues (PC-88, OPN), Double Dragon (SMS FM), Space Harrier II (MD), F/A-18 Interceptor (AMI), Crazy Climber 2 (ARC, OPL2), Daisenryaku (NES), Outrun 3D (SMS PSG), Rampage (SMS FM), Famicom Wars (NES), Saint Seiya: Ougon Densetsu Kanketsu-hen (NES), Iron Tank: The Invasion of Normandy (NES), Bear a Grudge (Spectrum), Xevious: FS (ARC?), MSX PSG ver., Wheels Runner (ARC, YM3526; 1990?), NARC (ARC, YM2151), Radical Bomber!! Jirai-kun (NES), Grand Prix Circuit (AMI), Starship Rendezvous (PC-88, OPNA ver.), Katakis (C64), Bonze Adventure/Jigoku Meguri (ARC, YM2610B), U.S. Championship V'Ball (ARC, YM2151), Legendary Wings (NES), Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars (SMS FM), Nazo no Magazine Disk: Nazoler Land Dai 3 Gou (FDS), Ufo Senshi Youko Chan (ARC, 2x SN76496), Ultima IV (X68K), Emlyn Hughes International Soccer (C64), Dragon Quest III/Dragon Warrior III (NES), Dragon Ball 2: Dai Maou Fukkatsu (NES), Tetris (BPS, MSX FM w/ AY-3-8910, 1987?), Advanced Fantasian (PC-88, OPNA), Tombs & Treasure/Asteka 2 (NES), Racket Attack/Moero!! Pro Tennis (NES, NEC µPD7756C), Freedom Force (NES), Ghouls 'n Ghosts (ARC, YM2151), Barbarian II (C64), Rambo III (SMS), Revolter (PC-88, OPNA), Ikari Warriors II: Victory Road (NES), Sky Soldiers (ARC, YM2413/OPLL), Godzilla: Monster of Monsters! (NES), Jarinko Chie (NES), Goldrunner II (AMI), GD: Greatest Driver (MSX PSG), Bionic Commando/Hitler's Resurrection: Top Secret (NES), Airwolf (NES), Soft de Hard na Monogatari (X68K), Anticipation (NES), Kenseiden (SMS FM), Silpheed (PC, YM2164/IMFC), Lee Trevino's Fighting Golf (NES), Shoukoushi Ceddie (NES), Deja Vu (NES), Zillion II (SMS), Scramble Spirits (SMS FM), Predator (NES), FM Pana Amusement Cartridge (MSX FM), Samurai Sword (FDS, no Wavetable used), Speedball (Atari ST), Fantasy Zone 2: Opa-Opa no Namida (NES), Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair (ARC, YM2151), Ys 1/Ys (NES), Demon Sword (NES), F-19 Stealth Fighter (PC, OPL2) & AMI ver. (1990), 3D Galax (AMI), Hostages (AMI), Shinobi (SMS), Super Thunder Blade (MD), Sidewinder (AMI), R-Type (ST), Starship Rendezvous (PC-98, OPN), Golgo 13 (NES), Satsui no Kaisou: Power Soft Satsujin Jiken (NES), Nebulus (AMI), F-1 Dream (ARC, 2x OPN), Rocket Ranger (AMI), Sukeban Deka III (NES), Captain Silver (SMS FM), Maison Ikkoku: Kanketsuhen (X68K), RoboCop: TFoLE (ARC, OPN w/ YM3812), Megumi Rescue (SMS FM), Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (NES), 1943 Kai (ARC, 2x OPN), Xenon (AMI), Battle of Olympus (NES), Donald Land (NES), Kenseiden (SMS PSG), Galactic Protector (SMS FM), R-Type (SMS PSG), Tantei Jinguuji Saburou: Yokohamakou Renzoku Satsujin Jiken (NES), Ninja-kun: Ashura no Shou (NES), Usagi Yojimbo (C64), Ninja Spirit (AMI), Karaoke Studio Senyou Cassette: Top Hit 20 Vol. 2 (NES), Tantei Jinguuji Saburou: Kiken na Ninin/Kiken na Futari (FDS)(no wavetable?), Maniac Mansion (Tandy 1000 PC), Snoopy's Silly Sports Spectacular!/Donald Duck (NES), Family Mahjong 2: Shanghai he no Michi (NES), Dr. Chaos (NES), Katakis (AMI), Platoon (Spectrum), Netherworld (Spectrum), Return of Ishtar (MSX), Dragon Quest II (MSX), Murder Club DX (X68K), Testament (MSX2, AY-3-8910), Kiss of Murder: Another story of Manhattan Requiem (X68K), Stormtrooper (AMI), Vixen (AMI), Stadium Hero (ARC, OPL2 w/ OPN), Gaia no Monshou (PCE), Speedball (ST), Continental Circus (ARC, YM2610B), Weird Dreams (AMI), RC Pro-Am (NES), Bionic Commando (Spectrum & ST), Zak McKracken (C64), Robocop (Spectrum), Sorcerian: Utillity Vol.1-3 (X1 PSG), Kamen Rider Club: Gekitotsu Shocker Land (NES), California Games (AMI), Märchen Maze (ARC, YM2151), Tetris (ARC, YM2610), Bakutotsu Kijuutei: Baraduke II (ARC, YM2151), Top Speed/Full Throttle (X68K), Image Fight (ARC, YM2151), Captain Silver (NES), Return of Ishtar (X68K), Laydock 2 (PSG), TwinBee (X68K), Batman: The Caped Crusader (C64), Romance of the Three Kingdoms (X68K), Sadakichi Sebun: Hideyoshi no Ougon (PCE), Tarot Uranai (FDS), Space Harrier (PCE), Legendary Axe (PCE), Desert Commander (NES), Nobunaga no Yabou: Zenkokuban (X68K), Who Framed Roger Rabbit (AMI), Maniac Mansion (NES)(JP), Saiyuuki World (NES), Rampage (NES), Truxton (ARC, OPL2), Starglider 2 (ST, samples only?), Microprose Soccer (AMI), Amagon (NES), Momotarou Densetsu (X68K), China Gate/Sai Yu Gou Ma Roku: Ryuu Bou You Gi No Shou (ARC, YM2151), Kick and Run (FDS), Alien Syndrome (NES), Tsuri Kichi Sanpei: Blue Marlin-hen (NES), Deflektor (ST), Batman: The Caped Crusader (AMI), Wizball (ST), Bases Loaded 2 (NES), Herzog (X1 Turbo PSG), Bomber King/Robo Warrior (MSX), 8 Eyes (NES), Treasure Island Dizzy (Spectrum, AY-3-8910), Druid: Kyoufu no Tobira (FDS)(no wavetable?), Street Fighter (AMI), Ice Hockey (NES), Touhou Kenbun Roku (NES), Super Hang-On (AMI), Osomatsu-kun Hachamecha Gekijou (MD), Wardner no Mori (NES), Vs. Excitebike (FDS), Akira (NES), Pool of Radiance (C64), Zynaps (ST), Rainbow Islands (NES)(Taito), Starquake (ST), Top Rider (NES), Double Eagle (X68K), Road Blasters (AMI), Hoops/Moero!! Junior Basket: Two on Two (NES), Railroad Empire/Take the A-Train II (X68K), Cobra-Command (ARC, w/ OPN), Takeshi no Sengoku Fuuunji (NES), Hototogisu (NES), Alternate Reality: The City (AMI), Bubble Bobble (NES), Final Bubble Bobble/Bubble Bobble (SMS), Kaijuu Monogatari (NES), Dokuganryuu Masamune (NES), Goal!/Moero!! Pro Soccer (NES), Goldrunner II (ST, some samples only tracks), Action Fighter (AMI), Tetris (X68K)(BPS), Arkanoid: Revenge of DOH (C64), Shanghai (SMS FM), Tetsuwan Atom (NES), Hanjuku Hero (NES), Paris-Dakar Rally Special (NES), Zak McKracken & the Alien Mindbenders (AMI), Operation Wolf (AMI), Pro Yakyuu World Stadium (PCE), Sylviana: Ai Ippai no Boukensha (FDS)(no wavetable?), Jumbo Ozaki no Hole in One Professional (NES), Sengoku Mahjong (PCE), Cycle Race Roadman: Gekisou!! Nihon Isshuu 4000km (NES), Kohakuiro no Yuigon (X68K), Vindicators (NES), Salamander (C64), The Black Bass/Black Bass 2 (NES), Blasteroids (ARC, YM2151), The Money Game (NES), Super Dodge Ball (X68K), Fuuun Shaolin Kyo: Ankoku no Maou (FDS)(no wavetable?), Takeda Shingen (NES), Super Real Baseball '88 (NES), Kamen no Ninja: Akakage (NES), Napoleon Senki (NES), DOME/Dome (X68K), Sukeban Jansi Ryuko (ARC, YM2151), Yuu Maze (FDS)(no wavetable?), Arkanoid: Revenge of DOH (X68K), Momotarou Dentetsu (NES), Labyrinth Runner (ARC, 2x OPN), Kid Kool and the Quest for the Seven Wonder Herbs (NES), Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (NES), World Court Tennis/Pro Tennis: World Court (PCE), Fantasy Zone (PCE), Rainbow Islands Extra (ARC, YM2151), Super Dyna'mix Badminton (NES), Ikari Warriors (AMI), Youkai Douchuuki/Shadowland (N163, SFX Only), Genpei Touma Den/Genpei Toumaden (NES), Ripple Island (NES), Maison Ikkoku (NES), Atomic Robo-Kid (ARC, 2x OPN), Kuri Kinton (ARC, OPN), Michael Andretti's World GP (NES), Kai no Bouken: The Quest of Ki (NES), Mr. Gold: Tooyama no Kinsan Space Chou (NES), Super Pinball (NES), Kickle Cubicle/Meikyu Jima/Meikyuujima (ARC, YM2151), After Burner (AMI)(1988), Jaseiken Necromancer (PCE), Casino Kid (NES), Bad Dudes (AMI), Namco Classic (NES), Falcon (AMI), Knight Rider (NES), Kaguya Hime Densetsu (NES), Appare! Gateball (PCE), California Games (NES), Keith Courage in Alpha Zones/Wataru (PCE), Elite (AMI), Bubble Bobble (PC, OPL2), Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu (NES), Family Trainer 09: Fuun Takeshijou 2 (NES), Take Down/Take Down Wrestling (PC, OPL2) - 1989?, Passing Shot/Center Court (ARC, YM2151), Super League (ARC, YM2151), Wheel of Fortune (NES), Pro Yakyuu Family Stadium '88 (NES), Cabal (ARC, YM2151), Matsumoto Tooru no Kabushiki Hisshou Gaku (NES), Bard's Tale III (C64), Tetris (Sega)(ARC, YM2151), Romance of the Three Kingdoms/Sangokushi (NES), Super Dodge Ball (ARC, YM2151), Tetris (ARC, 2x Pokey)(Atari), Hot Rod (ARC, YM2151), Chuka Taisen/Cloud Master (ARC, OPN)
The Bard's Tale II (AMI)
Weird Dreams (PC, OPL2)
Leisure Suit Larry 2 (PC, OPL2)
Kujaku Ou (NES)
Dr. Toppel's Adventure (ARC, OPN)
The NewZealand Story (ARC, OPN), X68K ver. (1989)
King's Quest IV (PC, OPL2)
Renegade (PC, OPL2)
Ka-Ge-Ki/Gageki (ARC, OPN)
Police Quest 2 (PC, OPL2)
Redbook (CD Audio):
No-Ri-Ko/No Ri Ko (PCE CD Redbook)(some vocal tracks, some chip music)
Fighting Street (PCE CD Redbook)
Bikkuriman Daijikai (PCE CD Redbook)(some vocal tracks, mostly chip music)
1980-1983｜1984｜1985｜1986｜1987｜1988｜1989
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